Aeriaii bomb



1. J. McINTYRE.

AERIAL BOMB.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5. 1918;.

1,312,99s, I Pgtent edAu'g. 12,1919.

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IN YEN T 0/? fivm k/as a/u/v /v/ ie W ATTORNEYS 1.1. McINTYRE.

AERIAL eqms. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5, I918.

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2 1 dfl /n/z By M ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 12, 1919.

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I Ill! 5! 151111111!!! I116 x is represented in the accompanying JOSEPH JOHN MGIN'IYRE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

AERIAL BOMB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 12, 1919.

Application filed March 5 1918. Serial No. 220.486.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH J. MoIN'i'YRE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Aerial Bomb, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to aerial bombs, such as shown and described in the application for Letters Patent of the United States, Serial No. 189,362, filed by me on September 1, 1917.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved aerial bomb intended to be dropped from an aeroplane, dirigible or other air craft, and arranged to insure a positive explosion at the expiration of a predetermined period of time. Another object is to insure an explosion in case the time controlled firing device fails, the bomb then exploding on striking an object. Another object is to enable the user to quickly and accurately set the aerial bomb to explode after a predetermined lapse of time.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the aerial bomb;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged inverted plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the same;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the bomb with the upper portion of the tail omitted; 1

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the head end of the bomb;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional planview of the same on the line 66-of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional side elethe aerial bomb;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the same on the line 8-8 of Fig.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional side elewith an explosive 11 in which shrapnel 12 is embedded, as plainly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The lower conical end 13 of the casing 10 is provided with a head 14 carrying a percussion cap or a primer 15 to ignite the charge 11. The percussion cap or primer 15 is adapted to be fired by a pin 16 formed on the upper end of a screw rod 17 screwing, in the outer end 18 of the head 14. The screw rod 17 is attached to or forms part of a hollow revoluble member 20 preferably made cylindrical, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. A pin 21 depends from the top of the revoluble member 20 and this pin has its axis coinciding with that of the screw rod 17, and on the said pin 21 is mounted to slide up and down a locking member 22 pressed downwardly by a spring 23 coiled around the pin 21 and interposed between the top of the locking member 22 and that of the revoluble member 20. The lower portion of the pin 21 is provided with a slot 24 and a pin 25 extends transversely through the locking member 22 and through the slot 24 in the pin 21. The ends-of the pin 25 project through vertical slots 26 formed in the side wall of the revoluble member 20 so that the latter rotates with the locking member 22 when the latter is rotated. Normally the locking member 22 is in engagement with the bevel gear wheels 30 and 31 having their hubs 32 and 33 journaled in suitable bearings arranged in the side wall of the revoluble member 20. On the hubs 32 and 33 are secured win s 34, 35 of a fan for turning the gear whee s 30 and 31 during the flight of the bomb through the air. As the bevel gear wheels 30 and 31 are engaged by the locking member 22 it is evident that a rotary motion is transmitted to the revoluble member 20 owing to the connection of the locking member 22 with the member 20 by the pin 25. The rotary motion of the revoluble member 20 causes the screw 17 to screw up in the head 14 whereby the firing pin 16 is caused to engage the percussion cap or primer 15 thus firing the same and thereby causing the ignition of the charge 11. It is understood that when the bomb is dropped by an aviator the Wings 34, 35 of the fan are set in motion and a rotary motion is transmitted to the revoluble member 20 to cause the'screw 17 to screw up in the head 14, as previously explained.

In order to cause the fan wings 34 and 35 to revolve at a higher or lower rate of speed with a view to fire the charge 11 sooner or later, the wings 34 and 35 are set at corresponding pitches to the axis of the revoluble member 20 and its screw 17 For this purpose the bevel gear wheels 30 and 31 are and lifted the same.

in mesh with a bevel gear wheel 40- provided with a shaft 41 journaled in the bottom of the revoluble member 20. The lower end of the shaft 41 is provided with a knurled head 42 to permit of conveniently turning the shaft 41 and its gear wheel 40 to rotate the bevel gear Wheels 30 and 31 and thus turn the wings 34 and 35 at the time the locking member 22 hasb'een lifted out of mesh with the bevel gear wheels 30 and 31 (see Fig. 5) by the operator having taken hold of the outer ends of the pin 25 It will be noticed that when the wings 34 and 35 are turned, their pitch relative to the axis of the revoluble member 20 and the screw 17 is correspondingly changed, that is, the pitch is increased by turning the head 42 in one direction and decreased by turning the said head in the opposite direction.

In order to enable the operator to set the wing 34 and 35 to any desired pitch and thus set the firing device to any predetermined period of time to fire the charge 11,

use is made of a pointer 43 secured on the shaft 41 and indicating n a dial 44 attached to the under side of the bottom of the revoluble member 20, as plainly indicated in Fig. 2. In order to hold the hubs 32 and 33 of the wings 34 and 35 in proper position use is made of a rod 50 extending through the said hubs and provided at the ends with nuts 51 and 52 abutting against the outer ends of the hubs 32 and 33.

It is understood that when the bomb is dropped, the fan rotates at the'speed to which it is set and consequently the firing of the charge 11 takes place at a predetermined time. It is further understood that by setting the wings 34 and 35 to a larger pitch the speed of the fan is increased, and on setting the wings to a lesser pitch the speed of the fan is correspondingly decreased.

The casing 10 is provided at its upper end with a tail having a tubular stem 61 and wings 62 extending therefrom. and the stem 61 is provided with a tubular lining 63 carrying at its lower end a percussion cap or a primer 64 for igniting the charge 11. In the upper portion of the lining 63 is mounted to slide a plunger terminating at its -the percussion cap or primer 64 to fire the latter with a view to fire the charge 11 whenever the bomb strikes an object in its flight. In the plunger 70screws a screw 7 2 extending through a cap 73 held on the upper end of the lining 63. The plunger 70 is prevented from turning in the lining 63 by a pin or 'a screw 74 extending through the lining 63 into a groove 75 formed in the upper end of the plunger 70. It is understood that the pin 74 does not prevent the plunger from dropping as the groove 75 extends to the top of the plunger, as plainly indicated in Fig. 7. On the outer end of the screw 72 is arranged a fan rotating during the descent of the bomb to unscrew the screw 72 out of the plunger 70 thus releasingsaid plunger. A light cord or similar retaining means 81 is threaded through registering apertures 82 and 83 formed in the plunger and the lining 63, and this cord is broken by the downward movement of the released plunger 7 O at the time the bomb strikes an object in its flight, it being understood that the plunger 70 prior to this action was released by the screw 72 screwing out of the plunger. It is understood that when the bomb is dropped by an aviator the fan 80 is set in motion and the screw 72 unscrews out of the lunger 70 but the latter is held against downward movement by the cord 81 until-the bomb strikes an object in its flight'so that the impact causes the plun ger 70 to move downward and break the cord 81. The plunger 70 in its descent finally causes it. pin 71 to fire the percussion cap Or primer 64 and the latter fires the charge 11 whereby the bomb is bursted and the shrapnel 12 scattered together with the pieces of the bursted casing 10.

In order to rotate the fan 80 at a higher or lower rate of speed with a view to screw the screw 72 on the plunger 70 at a predetermined time, the followin arrangement is made: The fan 80 .is provi ed with wings 90 and 91 having hubs 92 and 93 mounted to turn loosely on rods 94, 95 secured to a head 96 formed on the outer end of the screw 72. The Wings 90 and 91 are provided with lugs 97, 98 engaging toothed wheels 99 and 100 secured on the rods 94 and 95. By sliding the wings 90 and 91 outwardly the lugs 97 and 98 disengage the toothed wheels 99-and 100 to allow of turning the wings until they assume a desired pitch relative to the axis of the screw 72. When the desired pitch is obtained the wings 90 and 91 are moved inwardly to reengage the lugs 97, 98 with the corresponding teeth of the wheels 99 and 100 to hold the wings in the adjusted position and against turning on the rods 94 and 95. The wings 90 and 91 are held locked when in engagement with the JOOtllGCl wheels 99 and holding the wings against outward moveleasing the plunger 4 ment. It is understood that the screw 72 normally holds the plunger in uppermost position and when the bomb is dropped then the fan 80 is caused to rotate thereby screwin the screw 72 out of the plunger 7 0 to al ow the latter to drop as previously explained. Now by setting the wings 90 and 91 to a desired pitch the speed of the fan 80 can be increased or diminished thus re- "0 at a predetermined time, that is, after the bomb has descended a safe distance below the aeroplane, dirigible or other air craft so that the latter is not liable to be injured. It will further be noticed that in case the firing means at the head of the bomb fail to work at the proper time -then the impact firing device at the tail of the bomb is actuated as soon as the bomb strikes a distant object. The bomb by the use of the time controlled firing device at the head of the bomb explodes the latter at a predetermined time, that is prior to the bomb striking a distant object, but if this device fails the bomb is exploded by impact through the impact firing device at the tail of the bomb.

By reference to Fig. 1, it will be noticed thatthe upper end of the head 14 and the lower end of the lining 63 are provided with apertured-screw caps 110 and 111 to permit of conveniently placing the percussion caps or primers 15 and 64 in position in the head 14 and the lining 63. It will further be noticed that by reference to Fig.4 the head 1 and the stem 61 can be readily unscrewed from the bottom casing 10 whenever it is desired to place a percussion cap or primer in position, as above mentioned.

In order to permit convenient handling of the bomb by the aviator thewings 62 of the tail 60 are provided with a suitable carrying bail 115, as plainly shown in Figs. 1 and 7.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 10, the bomb casing 10 is made spherical instead of cylindrical and hence'I do not limit myself to any articular shape of the casing.

It is un erstood that the aerial bomb when dropped into water explodes below the water owing to the distance the plunger 70 has to drop before its pin 71 strikes the detonating cap 64.

Having thus described my invention, '1

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters after the lapse of a predetermined period of time, and a time controlled releasing and impact operated firing means mounted on the said tail and adapted to fire the said ex plosive charge on the bomb striking an object in its flight.

2. An aerial bomb, comprising a casing filled with an explosive charge and providedwith a head and with a tail, time controlled firing means mounted on the said head and adapted to fire the said explosive charge after the lapse of a predetermined time, the said time-controlled firing means being provided with manually controlled means for setting the time-controlled'firing means for any desired period of time, a time controlled releasing and impact controlled firing means mounted on the said tail and including a gravity operated member, and means for releasing the member to fire the said explosive plharge on the bomb striking an object in its ight.

3. An aerial bomb, comprising a casing filled with an explosive charge and provided with a head and with a tail, time-controlled firing means mounted on the said head and adapted to fire the said explosive charge after the lapse of a predetermined period of time, a time controlled releasing and impact actuated firing means mounted on the said tail and adapted to fire the said explosive charge on the bomb striking an object in its flight, and a safety device connected with the said shafts, a setting bevel gear wheel 7 journaled on the said revoluble member and in mesh with the said bevel gear wheels on the said wing shafts, and a locking means engaging the said bevel gear wheels on the wing shafts and rotating with the said 'revoluble member.

5. An aerial bomb provided wlth a time controlled. firing device having a revoluble member, alined shafts carrying wings and journaled in the said revoluble member and arranged at an angle to the axle of the revoluble member, bevel gear wheels secured on the said shafts, a setting bevel gear wheel journaled on the said revoluble member and in mesh with the said bevel gear wheels on thesaid wing shafts, locking means engaging the said bevel gear wheels on the wing shafts, and a rod slidable on the said revoluble member and held on the said locking means to rotate the revoluble memberandto allow moving it out of engagement with the said wing shaft bevel gearwheels.

6. An aerial bomb provided with a time controlled tiring device having a revoluble member, alined shafts carrying Wings and journaled in the said revoluble member and arranged at an angle to the axis of the rev0- luble member, bevel gear Wheels secured on the said shafts, a setting bevel gear Wheel journaled on the said revoluble member and in mesh with the said bevel gear wheels on the said Wing shafts, locking means engaging the said bevel gear Wheels on the Wing shafts and rotating with the said revolubie member, and a manually controlled indicator connected with the said setting bevel gear Wheel and having a dial fixed on the said revoluble member.

7. in aerial bomb provided with an impact controlled firing device having a detonating plunger for firing a percussion cap, a SCIBW rod screwing in the plunger and provided with Wing rods, Wings mounted to turn on the said rods, wheels fixed on the said Wing rods and adapted to engage members on the Wing", and means for detachabl engaging the said Wheels ith the wing members, whereby the wings may be set to a desired pitch relative to the axis of the screw rod.

8. In an aerial bomb, a firing device, and a fan for controlling the firing device,

tan comprising shafts, blades having hubs slidably mounted on the shafts and provided with lugs, toothed Wheels on the sharts said and with which the said lugs engage, and means for locking the hubs of the Wings against sliding movement.

9. In an aerial bomb, a firing device and a fan for controlling the firing device, said fan comprising shafts, blades having hubs mounted on the shafts, gear Wheels on the hubs, and a. manually operable gear Wheel meshing with the gear Wheels of the blade hubs.

10. in an aerial bomb, a firing device adapted to be operated upon the bomb striking object, said firing device comprising a primer, a gravity plunger adapted to strike the primer to tire the same, afan controlled means for supporting the plunger for a predetermined time and a breakable member for supporting the plunger when released by the an controlled means and adapted to be broken upon the bomb striking an object.

11. In an aerial bomb, a firing device adapted to be operated upon the bomb striking an object, said firing device comprising a primer, a gravity plunger adapted to strike the primer to fire the same, a screw engaging the plunger, a fan for operating the screw to release the plunger after a predetermined time, and a cord for supporting the plunger When released by the screiv, said cord being broken when the bomb strikes an object to release the said plunger.

OSEPH JOHN MCINTYRE. 

